Crook Canes-Walking Sticks

The design of a Crook Cane is very traditional  in style, and was in vogue in Victorian and Edwardian times (19th early 20th centuries). The crook (perhaps refers to the crooked end or the turned end, used as a handle), may be held in either hand with the stick facing either forwards or backwards. It can also be used to hang the stick over the user’s arm when not in use.

The design of a Crook Cane walking stick is essentially simple, yet convenient. The upper end is turned downwards like an inverted ‘U’. This is achieved by steaming the cane, followed by turning (using mechanical braces and brackets) and  finally drying it in that particular form.

Contact us for your bulk needs and custom designs

This entry was posted on February 4, 2014, 4:36 am and is filed under Handicrafts. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

http://www.earthyflavorance.us/crook-canes-walking-sticks/

Walking Cane Handles-Styles

Walking Canes come in many styles and are  broadly classified by the design of the handle.

The Derby Style of walking cane is said to be an invention of  Lord Derby, who wanted a supportive walking stick that he could also hook over his arm, much like the Crook, but had an additional stub  like protrusion, probably for the thumb to rest on it, and was not as rounded as the Crook.

The user’s weight is carried directly over the shaft of this stick. Their hand is supported because it can neither slip forward nor backward. The sides of the derby handle should be rounded for comfort, not flat-sided. One of the most popular handles for the walking stick user in need of light to middling support and balance. Variations include the Melbourne Derby, which has a more rounded shape and the petite derby handle.

 

 

The Petite Handle is a variation on the derby handle., but is more delicate and smaller in size.  It is held the same way, so that the user’s weight is carried directly over the shaft of the stick.

The Fischer handles, Relax Grip Handles and Anatomical Handles are also modifications of the Derby Handle. This was designed by the renowned Austrian arthritis specialist, Dr. Fischer. Its contoured shape is of great benefit to many sufferers of arthritis, rheumatism and other hand problems because it is easily grasped and it spreads the user’s weight across the palm of the hand.

 

Swan Neck handles-The swan-neck, is, like the name suggests, similar in shape to the neck of a swan.

 

Thumb Stick Walking Sticks-The Thumb stick is a traditional, country handle. It is formed when the shoot of wood divides in a natural ‘V’. It is held with the user’s thumb resting in the ‘V’ and their other fingers clasped around the neck of the stick. Thumb sticks with naturally wide ‘V’s can also be used as elbow rests. Highly sought-after, the thumb stick is a classic British country stick.

The Knob Stick– Is a traditional British walking stick, made from coppiced wood, with a blunt rounded knob like handle, to support the palm.

 

The Pistol Grip Walking Stick– Looks like the pistol grip, and hence the name. The pistol grip handle is loosely based on the off-set shape of a pistol handle. Like the rustic knob-stick, it fits comfortably into the palm of the hand and makes a formal yet practical walking stick suitable for everyday use.

The Novelty Cane- Inspired by the collector’s canes of the Victorian and Edwardian eras (19th early 20th centuries), many novelty walking sticks are bought as presents and by collectors of walking sticks (ambulists). Handle designs include depictions of animals, birds and famous people among many other inspirations.  They are basically a fashion statement.

This entry was posted on February 4, 2014, 8:09 am and is filed under Handicrafts. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

http://www.earthyflavorance.us/walking-cane-handles-styles/

Indian Handicrafts- Cane Walking Sticks

Walking Sticks- History and Development

Walking sticks have been used as a prop and an aid, ever since the ancient man first walked on two legs. It was probably discovered by accident, when some brilliant ancient realized that it was easier to walk when used as a prop. Probably it was first intended to be used and designed as a weapon for self defense, whose functionality, later evolved to being used as a prop s well. The original walking stick used by the ancient man was probably a simple tool- maybe, a piece of wood or a branch. Over the centuries, it evolved, as did the mankind, in terms of design and adornments.

The recorded history of the walking sticks, as we know them today began much later in mid fifteenth century. The contemporary European  walking sticks were ornately carved with historical events.

The term ‘cane’ was perhaps introduced in England during the Henry VIII period. It referred to sticks made of imported exotic woods. Today, the word “cane“ is also used when alluding to a particular kind of rattan (bamboo family), since it is specifically suited for making walking sticks. This is abundantly found in India.

Making of CANE walking sticks in India.

The natural habitat of CANE PLANT ( RATTAN, BAMBOO FAMILY)  is the equatorial belt, i.e. the doldrums.

The manufacture/making of walking sticks is a cottage industry here in India. The following are the stages and steps involved in making a walking stick out of cane, which is primarily a handicraft item.

Cane Collection The cane plant, when mature is coppiced and collected. Harvesting is undertaken during dormancy, when  sap is in the roots. This ensures that there is minimal die-back and optimum recovery for re-growth. The cane is harvested in lengths of 12 to 16 feet and bundled.

 

Steaming– and microwaving softens the CANE to enable bending and curling. Some of our canes have a bent handle. Some have curls in the body. We can incorporate any custom designs, involving bending and curling.

Drying and Polishing-Once the desired shape and deign is incorporated, the cane is dried and polished to create a walking stick.Our walking canes have a neoprene rubber tip on its lower end.

 

Finished Products– We can design walking sticks of and canes as per the requirement and specifications of the buyer. We supply Straight canes, as well as walking sticks with a bent handle of all lengths.

http://www.earthyflavorance.us/indian-handicrafts-cane-walking-sticks/